Library Disaster: Preparedness & Recovery An Overview by: Darcel A. Bryant, AHIP Associate Librarian Howard University Washington, DC 20059.

Library Disaster:Library Disaster: Preparedness & RecoveryPreparedness & Recovery

An Overview by:Darcel A. Bryant, AHIP

Associate LibrarianHoward University

Washington, DC 20059

GoalsGoals

Encourage every library to develop a disaster plan

Help libraries minimize the impact of a disaster

Provide information to restore collections and services in an optimum time

Kinds of DisastersKinds of Disasters

Natural Disasters include: Earthquake Fire Flood Hurricane

Natural Disasters have caused:Natural Disasters have caused:

Damage to library collections and buildings Harm to staff and users Disruption to library services

Xavier University Library - Louisiana Pass Christian Library - Mississippi

Go to: http://www.xula.edu/institutional-advancement/RecoveryPhotos.html http://www.harrison.lib.ms/hurricane/hurr_katrina_pc(ss).htm or

http://www.folusa.org/html/Katrinams.html

FOR MORE INFO...

MA1998 FloodBoston Public Library

LA MS2005 HurricaneGulf Coast Libraries

CO1997 Rain Storm FloodColorado State UniversityMorgan Library

CA1998 Flood Stanford UniversityLibrary

CA1994 Earthquake California State UniversityNorthridgeDelmar T. Oviatt Library

Libraries affected by DisastersLibraries affected by Disasters

The damages and lessons learned for each library follows:

1994 California Earthquake1994 California Earthquake

Northridge, CA California State University

Delmar T. Oviatt Library

Damage: Structural damage to building.

Lessons Learned: Maintain shelving to meet latest standards. Record the arrangement of the library collections.

Go to: http://library.csun.edu/mfinley/quake.html or http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/proceedings/99pro31.html

FOR MORE INFO...

1997 Colorado Flood1997 Colorado Flood

Morgan Library Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO

Damage: water damage to materials and offices.

Lessons learned: Include restoration of library services (incl. reference, circulation, ILL) in your disaster plan.

Go to: http://lib.colostate.edu/develop/overview.html or http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/proceedings/99pro31.html

FOR MORE INFO...

1998 California Flood1998 California Flood

Meyer & Music Libraries Stanford University

Stanford CA

Damage: water damage to collections (incl. GPO Docs., LP records, microfiche and books).

Lessons Learned: encourage and support collection emergency planning. Update your disaster plan and include staff training.

Go to: http://www-sul.stanford.edu/flood/plan.html or http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/proceedings/99pro31.html

FOR MORE INFO...

1998 Boston Flood1998 Boston Flood

Boston Public Library

Boston, MA

Damage: water damage to materials (incl. GPO docs., microfiche and maps).

Lessons Learned: Include a chain of command in your plan. Assign responsibility for each aspect of the recovery process.

Go to: http//www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/proceedings/99pro30.html or http://www.bpl.org/guides/mckim.htm

FOR MORE INFO...

2005 Gulf Coast Hurricane2005 Gulf Coast Hurricane Libraries in

New Orleans & Mississippi Include: -Dillard Univ. Library -Loyola Univ. Library

-LSU Health Sciences Center -McNeese State Univ. Library

-Mississippi State Univ. Library

-Southern Univ. Library -U of Southern Miss. Library -Xavier Univ. Library

Tulane University Library

Damage: water damage to collections, equipment and buildings.

Go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/cro/Katrina/katrinadamage.htm or the Libraries Web page

FOR MORE INFO...

Process for developing a planProcess for developing a plan

Establish a disaster committee to develop rules and procedures.

Get staff involved in planning, preparedness, and recovery.

Maintain a record of the floor plans and the arrangement of collections.

FOR MORE INFO...

See handout- A selected bibliography of disaster planning, preparedness and recovery

Benefits of having a disaster planBenefits of having a disaster plan

Provides staff with clear procedures to follow Makes your library safe Minimizes damage Prevents panic during and after a disaster

FOR MORE INFO...

See handout- List of libraries and universities with disaster plans

SummarySummary

Disaster can happen to any library

Be ready for a disaster

Layout a plan of what needs to be done when a disaster strikes

Train staff how the disaster plan operates

Review, revise and rehearse your plan regularly

ReferencesReferences

American Library Association. Library Damage Report: 2000 http://www.ala.org

Amigos Library Services, Inc. A Disaster Plan for Libraries and Archives: 2000. http://www.amigos.org/disasterplan

Stanford University Libraries. Preservation Department. CoOl: Conservation Online http://palimpsest.stanford.edu

Federal Depository Library Program. Proceedings of the 9th Annual Federal Depository Library Conference: 2000.

http://access.gpo.gov/su_docs.html

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

Disaster Photos - www.stanford.edu

- www.colostate.edu - www.csun.edu - www.bpl.org - www.htmllibrary.shutterfly.com - www.xula.edu - www.folusa.org

Howard University Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library– Larry S. Ellis, Director– Marlene Mahoney, Building Manager– Gary Goodman, SIGTECHS– Mariano Alexander, Technician I